‘Trust is much more valuable than $900’

By KRISTIANA SCOTT

Published: Wednesday, July 9, 2014 at 04:53 PM.

“We are so proud of him,” said Billy Fox, director of ministry development. “It’s the small things, like the decision he made, that stand out. He had an opportunity to go back to his bad behavior, but chose to do the right thing just because it was the right thing to do.”

Brad knows that every day will present new challenges he will have to face, but believes with determination and the Haven House program, he will change his life forever.

“This program is a year-long commitment or more,” Brad said. “It can be scary to look at how far you have to go, but this is where I need to be. I’ve wasted the last 10 years, so sacrificing a year to fix the next 20 is no big deal.”

The Haven House is a long term, Christian based, 12-step recovery house for men who are suffering from alcohol or drug addiction. And although Brad admits he has never been a religious guy, he now understands the power of faith.

“Being here and having a clear mind — I’m getting excited for my future again,” he said. “I’m beginning to understand that I can’t control everything. So when I get overwhelmed, I hand it over to my higher power. I ask for help and hope He will guide me.”

Fox smiled when he heard these words from Brad and added, “It never gets old watching peoples’ lives change.”

When substance abuse blurs the line between right and wrong, it’s easy to let your life spin out of control. But for one 28-year-old from New Orleans, he decided to take control back.

“I was working in the service industry where drug and alcohol abuse runs rampant,” said Brad Reese. “I was unhappy and not living up to my potential, and knew I needed outside help.”

Brad is two months into the substance abuse recovery program at the Haven House in Santa RosaBeach, and already feels like a new man.

“I want to take full advantage of this opportunity,” Brad said. “It’s a daily grind — you have to bring a good attitude to every situation and work hard everyday. You get out of this what you put in.”

And Brad has been working hard. Just recently, while working at the Haven House thrift shop (one of the duties of Haven House residents), he was sorting through a box of old books and found a book on tape stuffed with cash — nine one-hundred dollar bills to be exact.

“Before, who knows what I would’ve done,” Brad said. “My addiction lifestyle always took advantage whenever possible. But now, my heart is in the right place — I wanted to do the right thing. I want to earn the trust of my program leaders. Trust is more valuable than 900-dollars.”

Brad quickly called the thrift shop manager to turn in the money, and began digging through the box for clues of the owner. Finding a business card, Brad was able to contact the owner and return the money — a gesture that did not go unnoticed.

“We are so proud of him,” said Billy Fox, director of ministry development. “It’s the small things, like the decision he made, that stand out. He had an opportunity to go back to his bad behavior, but chose to do the right thing just because it was the right thing to do.”

Brad knows that every day will present new challenges he will have to face, but believes with determination and the Haven House program, he will change his life forever.

“This program is a year-long commitment or more,” Brad said. “It can be scary to look at how far you have to go, but this is where I need to be. I’ve wasted the last 10 years, so sacrificing a year to fix the next 20 is no big deal.”

The Haven House is a long term, Christian based, 12-step recovery house for men who are suffering from alcohol or drug addiction. And although Brad admits he has never been a religious guy, he now understands the power of faith.

“Being here and having a clear mind — I’m getting excited for my future again,” he said. “I’m beginning to understand that I can’t control everything. So when I get overwhelmed, I hand it over to my higher power. I ask for help and hope He will guide me.”

Fox smiled when he heard these words from Brad and added, “It never gets old watching peoples’ lives change.”